[Matt]

Date: March 31, 2018 Destination: Hawk Rock 5040 620P (USGS Evergreen Mtn) Party: Matt, Carla (Dicey), Eric (Cartman) "Hawk Rock" is the peakbagger's name for Point 5040 (640P) about 1.7 miles north of Eagle Rock on the west side of the Beckler River. We tried a route from the northwest that worked out well. Short Route Description: Drive the Beckler River Road 65 to about ¼ mile past the Rapid River Road junction, to a small stub road on the right. Hike (or drive in summer) the stub road 0.8 miles to where it makes a sharp switchback. Hike uphill northwest to Point 2416. Hike west slightly down to a saddle, then up forested slopes to reach Hawk Rock's north ridge circa 3800 feet. Follow the ridge crest to the summit. (On the map below, red line is our route up. Disregard the purple line, which is our route down, with various stubs to look for views and a less successful descent line below Point 2416.)

Hawk Rock GPS Track

Travel uphill was easy class two scrambling through open second-growth forest, punctuated by the ancient stumps of the giant old-growth trees that once stood here. Once could traverse around Point 2416, but it turned out easier to just walk over it. We used snowshoes from there onward, but the snow under the forest was well packed. Higher up we crossed one open area for the sake of getting some sunshine, but we could have stayed in woods to avoid it.

Eric hiking uphill in the second-growth forest

Memories of the big trees that once stood here

Another memory of the giants that once ruled here

We reached the wide ridge crest circa 3200 feet and just followed it uphill to the summit. It became narrower in some stretches, but provided a clear path between trees all the way up.

Carla hiking up the ridge crest

Me on the ridge crest

The best views were actually along the ridge, looking out north to the Monte Cristo area. East of us, Fernow looked surprisingly prominent.

Looking NNW to the Monte Cristo Range

Looking NNE to Glacier Peak

Looking northeast to Evergreen

Looking southeast to Fernow

On the summit itself, trees blocked most of the views, but there was an interesting view south to the Snoqualmie crest, through a slightly hazy mist.

Daniel and neighbors

Hinman

Summit Chief and Chimney Rock

Lemah and Big Snow

After a comfortable lunch break in the sun, we headed back down. The sun-warmed snow was noticeably softening, so we were glad our descent could stay on firmer snow under the trees on all of the steeper slopes.

Soup, tea, and an Easter basket cookie baked by Sadie's Driver for lunch.

Hiking back down the ridge crest.

Further down the ridge crest

The summit trees had blocked any view westward to more dramatic peaks in the Baring-Gunn area, so I made repeated little side trips trying to see them, but only got brief peek-a-boo views through the trees.

Baring

Gunn & Gunnshy

Eagle Rock & Townsend

Townsend

At the 2270 saddle, we tried a different route following an old road on the west side of the creek drainage, but it curved off the wrong way, and our uphill route was better. Stats: 8.8 miles, 4220 gain, 8:20 hours Highlights for the day: We visited a summit that was new for all three of us. The route was straightforward class 2 scrambling the whole way. The route was well protected from avalanches, running entirely in forest or on ridge crest. There were some good views along the way, but not at the summit. If one wanted wider summit views, a better bet would be Evergreen Lookout or Eagle Rock, but Eagle Rock has steeper snow that would require more stable conditions.

[mbravenboer]

Nice trip! I hadn't noticed that one before. Thanks for the report. The views of Monte Cristo and Hinman/Daniel were very nice. Impressive zoom! I love Chimney Rock covered in fresh snow.

[wildernessed]

Nice ridge and pics !

[nordique]

Great report--and thanks for the peak ID's!

[raising3hikers]

Thanks for the TR

[kitya]

how was beckler river road conditions? national forest website says it is still snow covered. is it?

[Matt]

As of three weeks ago, it was clear to the junction with the Rapid River Road. Started to have some snow after that, but we didn't drive further to check it out. Probably much less snow now.

[Gimpilator]

I love those labeled panos Matt. Nice trip everyone.

[Dr. T]

Anyone think the road to evergreen lookout is open. It's about 10.5 miles from the rapid river road intersection, which is clear.

[rubywrangler]

No. I was up there two weeks ago. There was still many feet of snow on the road at 3600' and snow as far as I could see down the road from the ridge.